Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Wood vs. Aluminum: Which Screen Room is Right for Your Georgia Home?
By Drew Havlik, Lanier Aluminum Products
At Lanier Aluminum Products, we get asked this question all the time: “Drew, why should I go with aluminum when I can just have a contractor build a wood-framed screen porch?” It’s a fair question. Wood has been the traditional choice for decades, but as someone who has been in this industry since 1979, I’ve seen exactly how both materials hold up against our Georgia humidity and heat.
If you are trying to decide between a wood-framed or an aluminum-framed screen room, here is the honest breakdown of the differences.
1. Maintenance: The “Set It and Forget It” Factor
The biggest difference—and the one you’ll notice every year—is maintenance.
Wood Framed: Wood is a living material. It expands, contracts, and eventually rots. To keep it looking good and prevent structural failure, you have to scrape, stain, or paint it every 2 to 3 years.
Aluminum Framed: Our aluminum systems feature a baked-on enamel finish that never needs painting. It won’t rust, peel, or rot. A quick rinse with a garden hose is usually all the “maintenance” you’ll ever need.
2. Durability and Pests
In the South, we deal with two major threats to outdoor structures: moisture and insects.
Wood Framed: Wood is susceptible to termites, carpenter bees, and wood rot. Even pressure-treated lumber eventually succumbs to the constant moisture of our humid summers.
Aluminum Framed: Aluminum is completely impervious to pests. Termites won’t touch it, and carpenter bees can’t drill into it. It stays structurally sound and square for decades, regardless of how much it rains.
3. Aesthetics and View
If you’re building a screen room, you want to see the view, not the framing.
Wood Framed: Because wood isn’t as strong as aluminum per square inch, the posts and beams have to be much thicker to support the roof. This means more “visual clutter” blocking your view of the backyard.
Aluminum Framed: Aluminum is incredibly strong, allowing us to use slimmer profiles. This gives you a much “cleaner” look with more open screen area, so you can actually see the landscape you’re trying to enjoy.
4. Long-Term Cost
While a wood-framed room might sometimes have a lower upfront cost depending on the contractor, you have to look at the total cost of ownership.
Wood Framed: Between the cost of professional painting/staining every few years and the eventual need to replace rotted boards, wood becomes very expensive over time.
Aluminum Framed: It is a one-time investment. Once it’s installed, your costs stop. It adds permanent value to your home without adding a permanent item to your “to-do” list.
Which one is right for you? If you love the rustic, chunky look of wood and don’t mind the weekend chores, wood is a classic choice. But if you want a sleek, modern space that stays beautiful for 30+ years without you lifting a finger, aluminum is the way to go.
Would you like me to help you schedule a free estimate to see how an aluminum screen room would look on your home?
